G E O - S T R A T E G I C    J O U R N A L I S M    C O U R S E

In this era of increasing globalization, it is imperative that American journalists understand issues in world affairs that affect the United States. History, politics, culture, and economics pervade many international issues with a complexity that the average journalist may have difficulty grasping, much less reporting. A sophisticated understanding of issues, both subtle and salient, is necessary so that journalists, in turn, may report effectively on these issues to the American public.

The Collegiate Network's Geo-Strategic Journalism Course prepares young journalists to launch careers as international affairs reporters and ensures that these young people are grounded in American political principles, are professionally trained, and are armed with the analytical tools to convey the nuance and complexity of the issues they report to the American public.

Each summer, the Collegiate Network offers a group of the finest writers and editors the opportunity to receive intensive training on becoming a foreign correspondent. The program was launched in June 2001 to improve the quality of American reporting on international issues in the major media. It is the only program of its kind in the United States.

The two-week program comprises three phases, each phase crafted to a particular purpose. Students receive a three-day briefing in Washington, D.C. from policy professionals, foreign correspondents, and government officials. During this phase, the Collegiate Network coordinates programming with the Heritage Foundation. Participants then depart to the Czech Republic where they interview working journalists, leading government officials, and business leaders. During phase two, the Collegiate Network partners with the Prague Security Studies Institute, an organization that focuses on the education and development of new generations of security-minded university students and policy practitioners in the Czech Republic. The final phase requires course participants to compose a feature story on one aspect of the course they found interesting and relevant to the Czech Republic. Course participants spend nearly two weeks reporting overseas.

"The course gave me a new appreciation for journalism and provided me with a well-rounded international perspective that is only possible through such hands-on experience."
—Villanova University participant

For more information, member students are encouraged to contact cn@isi.org.